The Sixty-Fourth Commencement Exercises Tuesday, May 18, 2021 2:00 PM at Palisades Credit Union Park President Daly’s Message to the Class of 2021 STAC Class of 2021: As my first-ever STAC graduating class, I would like to congratulate you on your graduation and thank you for the respect and resilience you have demonstrated this past year. While the history books will document the devastating COVID health and economic impacts that have continued into 2021, I will always remember how my first graduating class navigated these challenges and safeguarded the entire STAC community. I will also remember how, together, we launched our Center for Social Justice and began to listen and learn from one another in our commitment to ensure that all voices are heard and that we become part of the solution in the turbulent days ahead. As you now graduate, you immediately become my first-ever group of STAC alumni, so I look forward to supporting one another in our future journeys. Please know that my door is always open for career guidance ... grad school assistance ... alumni support ... or just to share stories and discuss how best to support one another and our future students. My ask of you is that you remain active and loyal to STAC and that you always proudly represent the College and carry the “Spartan Torch.” My offer to you is to share the secret to fulfillment in life: always be your best self and support one another. This mantra was embodied by Jackie Robinson, who said: “A life is only important in the impact it has on others.” I know you will be your best self ... and I know you will make an impact. You have made an impact on me ... and you have left an indelible mark here at the College. Now, go forward, graduate, live your life to the fullest, and make a “STAC impact” throughout your life. Warm Regards, President Daly The Commencement Program INTRODUCTION Robert D. Murray, Ph.D. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs THE NATIONAL ANTHEM By Francis Scott Key Matthew Ray Quinones INVOCATION Margaret M. Fitzpatrick, S.C., Ed.D. President Emerita WELCOME Kenneth D. Daly President ~ Peter Skae Chair, Board of Trustees THE COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS Philip O. Ozuah, M.D., Ph.D. President and CEO of Montefiore Medicine PRESENTATION OF HONORARY DEGREE Philip O. Ozuah, M.D., Ph.D. Doctor of Public Service by Kenneth D. Daly PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES FOR DEGREES Robert D. Murray, Ph.D. CONFERRING OF DEGREES Kenneth D. Daly AWARDING OF DIPLOMAS SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES FOR THE DEGREES OF BACHELOR OF ARTS, BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, ASSOCIATE IN ARTS, AND FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE Heath Bowen, Ph.D. Dean ~ SCHOOL OF BUSINESS FOR THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE AND FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Michael J. Murphy Dean ~ SCHOOL OF EDUCATION FOR THE DEGREES OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE AND BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION AND FOR THE DEGREES OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION, MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TEACHING, AND THE POST MASTERS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE Meenakshi Gajria, Ph.D. Dean ~ COMPLETION OF HONORS PROGRAM OF STUDY Ryan D. Wynne, Ph.D. Director, Honors Program Suzanne Renee Clarke, Kayla Cobelli, Sarah Louise Colotti, Nghi Thanh Bao Dang, Samantha Nicole Davila, Nicholas Austin DiPietro, Mary Elizabeth Dristle, Ibrahim Elayan, Gianna Philomena Galu, Timothy William Henion, Abigaile Therese Kimbrell, Kevin Thomas Lynch, Rebecca MacLeod, Christina Carla Maretzo, Niamh Ellen McKevitt, Daniel Alan Monarchi, Mekenzi R. Moreau, Jessica Amanda Moro, Alyssa Noelle Ponella, Morgan Helena Santora, Rachel Leah Spagnola, Jason Wai-Sing Tom ~ COMPLETION OF AQUINAS LEADERS PROGRAM Mary Vota Director, Student Success Harrison V. Amicucci, Michelle Nicole Arico, Danielle Anna Cajou, Joseph Daniel Carlone, Thomas Edward Carty, Giselle Castro, Lauren Jennifer Conti, Matthew T. Domville, Thomas Jonathan Gardner, Jade Alexis Hall, Lillyann Hansen, Kyle T. Kondracki, Anthony Michael Malfitano, Camille Rose Martinez, Victoria Ann McNamara, Alina Isabella Peña, Elise Oliande, Felicity Erica Popovich, Alexandra Rose Presti, Matthew Ray Quinones, Michael Robert Sakmann, Andrea Rose Saladino, Amanda Nicole Sturm, Taylor Brooke Trinidad REMARKS FOR THE CLASS OF 2021 Niamh Ellen McKevitt Salutatorian ~ Daniel Alan Monarchi Valedictorian PRESENTATION OF THE CLASS SERVICE AWARDS Kirk A. Manning, Ed.D. Vice President and Dean for Student Development GOLD KEY SERVICE AWARD Michael Paul Gonoud Abagaile Therese Kimbrell Samuel Harris Naveran Matthew Ray Quinones SILVER KEY SERVICE AWARD Nicholas Austin DiPietro Mary Elizabeth Dristle Gianna Philomena Galu Hayley Nicole Kousoulas Kristina Nicole Lodato Christina Carla Maretzo George Meizah Nkrumah Michael James Rappo Alexandra Rose Presti Sadiki E. St. George Paige Louise Toothaker THE TERENCE CARDINAL COOKE AWARD Awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding and meritorious service. Anabel Garcia PRESENTATION OF THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Robert D. Murray, Ph.D. THE JON ROBERTS AWARD Awarded annually to the highest academic excellence in the field of Literary Studies. Felicity Erica Popovich THE SISTER REGINA ROSAIRE DOLAN AWARD Awarded annually for highest academic excellence in the School of Education graduate program. Taylor Marie Gorman THE FRANCIS CARDINAL SPELLMAN AWARD Awarded annually for highest academic excellence in the undergraduate program. Hayley Nicole Kousoulas Daniel Alan Monarchi THE BETTY LASALA AWARD Awarded annually for highest academic excellence in the Sciences. Abagaile Therese Kimbrell ~ BENEDICTION Rabbi Daniel Pernick Campus Ministry ~ MUSIC PROVIDED BY Imperial Brass Quintet COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Philip Ozuah, MD, PhD President and CEO of Montefiore Medicine Philip Ozuah, MD, PhD, is the President and CEO of Montefiore Medicine, the umbrella organization for the 11 hospitals and over 200 outpatient ambulatory sites of Montefiore Health System and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. A nationally recognized physician, leader, executive, researcher, teacher and author, Dr. Ozuah leads a healthcare system that performs more than six million patient interactions a year. He previously served as President of Montefiore Health System, Professor and University Chairman of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and Physician-in-Chief of the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM). Throughout his career, Dr. Ozuah has worked to expand access to health care for underserved communities, recruited and cultivated outstanding talent, advanced programs of excellence, fostered innovations in medical education, and improved financial and operational performance by integrating care across a rapidly growing and evolving Montefiore system that sees over six million patient interactions a year. Under his leadership, Montefiore Health System’s specialties ranked in the top 1 percent of the nation’s hospitals, and CHAM was recognized as one of “America’s Best Children’s Hospitals” according to U.S. News & World Report. Dr. Ozuah has been recognized locally and nationally for excellence in teaching and patient care, including as an inductee into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society and a two-time recipient of the Academic Pediatric Association’s prestigious Helfer Award for Innovation in Medical Education. Along with his various awards for teaching and clinical excellence, Dr. Ozuah has also been recognized by Modern Healthcare as one of the “Top 25 COOs in Healthcare.” Dr. Ozuah earned his medical degree from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Southern California and a PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He completed his Pediatric Internship and Residency at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore, and his Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Medical Education at the University of Southern California School of Medicine. Today, Dr. Ozuah will receive the Honorary Doctor of Public Service from St. Thomas Aquinas College. THE CLASS OF 2021 MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Gerald L. Abillar Bridget N. Duarte Alex Mack Management Management Sport Administration With Distinction Amanda Theresa Agro Michael Robert Morgan Management Jennifer Kris Farrell Finance Marketing Daniela Lucia Bronson Caroline Scala General Kaitlyn Anne Gee General General With Distinction Matthew James Corsie Management Tyler Himmelfarb Frank J. Schiavone With Distinction General Finance With Distinction Daniel Patrick Cremin Shannon Marie Thompson Marketing Gregory Thomas Iannicelli General Marketing With Distinction Anthony Joseph Culhane With Distinction Finance Oscar D. Velasquez Tyler Robert Kopac Marketing Laura Ashley DeLorenzo Finance Management With Distinction Brian Patrick Lacey Management MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE John Fazal Bhatti Molly Rose Conner Jonathan Meaney Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Meaghan Kathleen Burke Mindy R. Elkins Tyiana Marrie Nunez Criminal Justice Criminal Justice Criminal Justice With Distinction Joy A. Gallagher Criminal Justice POST MASTERS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN EDUCATION Erin Nicole Albin Anthony Michael Mancino Kristen M. McLaughlin Literacy Literacy Literacy MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION Juliana Marie Brown Taylor Marie Gorman Dena Elaina Pallogudis Special Education Special Education Special Education With Distinction With Distinction Ciara Mary Donohue Special Education Mikaila Elizabeth Hulse Melissa Ann Peters With Distinction Special